New York City buildings collapse in possible gas blast, injuring 12 people

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An apparent gas explosion caused two apartment buildings to collapse and burst into flames, and two others to catch fire, injuring at least 12 people on Thursday in New York City’s East Village neighborhood, authorities said.

The explosion, which occurred shortly after 3 p.m. and sent flames leaping into the sky, rocked the residential area in Manhattan. Bloodied victims ran from the buildings, collapsing on the street, witnesses said.

Three people were critically injured, New York Mayor de Blasio told a news conference near the scene of the blast.

Preliminary evidence indicated it was a gas-related explosion, the mayor said, adding that private gas and plumbing upgrade work had been going on in one of the buildings. He said Con Edison utility inspectors had been on the scene about an hour before the explosion and found the work did not pass inspection.

The blast caused two buildings to collapse, including the one where the explosion occurred, he said. Two adjacent buildings caught fire, he added.

Firefighters were still fighting a blaze in one of the adjacent buildings, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro told the late afternoon news conference.

“That building is in danger of possible collapse,” Nigro said. “We will be here for a very long night.”